Byron Maxwell might be coming off a disappointing season, but plenty of his former coaches expect the Miami Dolphins' newest cornerback to have a bounce-back season if he can stay healthy in 2016.

"I think he's a terrific football player. He played great football for us in the formula that we asked him to play in. He was very effective," said Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who drafted Maxwell in the sixth-round of the 2011 draft, and coached him for his first four seasons.

"I don't know what happened in Philly last year, but the fact that he winds up in Miami, I think he's really thrilled about it."

The Dolphins acquired Maxwell, along with linebacker Kiko Alonso in a trade that involved swapping first-round draft picks with the Philadelphian Eagles that moved Miami down five spots to pick No. 13, and the team's plan is to play the 28-year-old on the right side of the defense.

That is where he played in Seattle, and it should allow Maxwell to utilize his size (6 foot 1, 207 pounds) and athleticism to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage.

The goal is to help Maxwell get back to how he played in Seattle as a member of the "Legion of Boom" secondary. However, it should be pointed out that Maxwell won't be part of a secondary that features three Pro Bowlers — Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor — in Miami.

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase says the team will keep working to add depth to the cornerback position.

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase says the team will keep working to add depth to the cornerback position.

Last year, the Eagles asked Maxwell to play off the line of scrimmage, and used him to shadow opposing team's No. 1 receivers. He struggled, especially early on, because of those changes. But the Dolphins plan to let him get back to his comfort zone, and believe his size will come in handy in the AFC East defending big receivers like New York's Brandon Marshall and Buffalo's Sammy Watkins.

"He's a big, physical corner. He does a great job when he gets his hands on people, and he's kind of what a prototypical corner is like," said San Francisco 49ers coach Chip Kelly, who signed Maxwell to a six-year, $63 million contract last offseason when he was running the Eagles. "He matches up well with big receivers."

CAPTION

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase told reporters he's wondering how his team is going to block Ndamukong Suh in practices.

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase told reporters he's wondering how his team is going to block Ndamukong Suh in practices.

CAPTION

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase told reporters he's wondering how his team is going to block Ndamukong Suh in practices.

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase told reporters he's wondering how his team is going to block Ndamukong Suh in practices.

CAPTION

Dolphins coach Adam Gase said he felt great about his visit with defensive end Mario Williams and expects to see a different player this year.

Dolphins coach Adam Gase said he felt great about his visit with defensive end Mario Williams and expects to see a different player this year.

CAPTION

Gase on receiver Kenny Stills: "I've always liked his skill set. I'm excited to see what we can do to get him rolling in this offense. ... I feel really good about the group that we have."

Gase on receiver Kenny Stills: "I've always liked his skill set. I'm excited to see what we can do to get him rolling in this offense. ... I feel really good about the group that we have."

CAPTION

Dolphins coach Adam Gase on DeVante Parker: "love the skill set, love what he can bring to this offense. Just for me its going to be about — developmental like make sure that we bring him along as quickly as we can."

Dolphins coach Adam Gase on DeVante Parker: "love the skill set, love what he can bring to this offense. Just for me its going to be about — developmental like make sure that we bring him along as quickly as we can."

CAPTION

Adam Gase says quarterback Ryan Tannehill is more comfortable with plays the coach is not as familiar with, and that he's still experimenting with the Dolphins' offense.

Adam Gase says quarterback Ryan Tannehill is more comfortable with plays the coach is not as familiar with, and that he's still experimenting with the Dolphins' offense.

Maxwell had a career-high 64 tackles, two interceptions, forced two fumbles and broke up 10 passes in the 14 games he played last season for the Eagles.

Considering Maxwell has only started 31 games in his five seasons, he's still viewed as a young player, which hints there may still be some upside left.

"His best attribute is his ball-hawking mindset," Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said of Maxwell, whom he coached during his tenure as defensive coordinator in Seattle.

"Past being a ball-hawk is his length at the line of scrimmage. He's got 33 inch arms and he's 6 foot 1. He plays on the line of scrimmage and can extend. That's a long release a guy has to take. That's what makes him so unique, and makes him a good player."

The Dolphins have to figure out who will be the other starting cornerback opposite Maxwell. Miami will address the position by signing a veteran or selecting someone early in next month's draft.

The Dolphins cut last season's two starting cornerbacks — Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes and Brice McCain — this offseason, and Jamar Taylor, Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett are the only returning cornerbacks with playing experience.

Rules changes

Among the nine rules changes approved by the competition committee at the NFL meetings — most notably touchbacks starting the offense at the 25-yard line instead of the 20-yard line, and eliminating the chop block — none was suggested by Miami, and none would have affected the outcome of a Dolphins game last season.

Atlanta president and CEO Rich McKay, chairman of the competition committee, is aware there's a characterization most rules favor the offense. He said eliminating the chop block is "a good thing from a defensive player perspective."

The expanded horse collar tackle rule now includes grabbing the nameplate or above on the jersey and pulling the runner to the ground, and players who are penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will be ejected.